The American College of Sports Medicine released its ” Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2015” that gives the sports and fitness industry insight into what’s driving their market. The editors of ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal ® survey health and fitness professionals worldwide about trends to determine what has lasting appeal and can impact the industry and what might be fizzling out of favor. For their purposes, trends are defined as a general development that takes some time to gain popularity, but has longevity. Fads are what I refer to as “fashion fitness” — exercise programs or devices that come on the scene quickly, but almost as rapidly lose their appeal.
I’m a strong proponent of high-intensity workouts that use body weight — the result of the findings from a study I co-authored with Brett Klika ( High-Intensity Circuit Training Using Body Weight: Maximum Results with Minimal Investment). I was delighted to see my fellow colleagues ranked body weight training and high-intensity interval training in the ACSM survey as numbers one and two, respectively, and remarked that they’re trends to watch. I think they have staying power for several reasons. For one, body weight training is not “new;” in fact, people have been using their own body weight for centuries as a form of resistance training. This type of workout offers convenience because it’s obviously very portable, requires no special equipment and is inexpensive. High-intensity interval training has gained in popularity over the past several years, partly because it’s been re-packaged by some fitness products and programs. It’s defined as short bouts of intense exercise followed by a minimal period of rest. I think it will continue to be popular because of its efficiency; you can get a great workout in less than 30 minutes. These are all reasons why I blended two workouts in the Johnson & Johnson Official 7-Minute Workout App™: to give the convenience of a body weight workout combined with the efficiency of high-intensity intervals.
The ACSM survey reinforced the deletion of four trends that had appeared to be strong for several years but have now dropped off the list, including Zumba ®, indoor cycling, stability ball and Pilates, which supports the theory that these were fads and not trends. The survey suggests that Zumba ®, indoor cycling and Pilates have run their course, but here’s my take on it. Those surveyed may believe indoor cycling is going downhill. But if it works for you, keep pedaling. With its high-intensity interval approach, indoor cycling can be a terrific workout, and if you enjoy it, that’s what matters. However, if you’re just wearing your SoulCycle shirt to be on the cutting edge, you might lose sight of the underlying reason why you have it on, which is to improve your fitness level. The same goes for wearable fitness tracking devices. It can be a statement that you have the latest in fitness technology, but I vote for function over form. Part of its function is to motivate wearers to increase their steps during the day and get more movement in their life. However, if it just becomes another thing buzzing at you to remind you to take some action, then it’s going to be relegated quickly to the junk drawer. What works for me is to draw upon my personal mission — to be a healthy and fit dad, spouse and employee — to get my daily steps in, rather than an external device.
The ACSM survey got me thinking about what I’ve been noticing regarding exercise trends. When I go to my wife’s gym, I see a lot more people doing a workout that’s facilitated by smartphones. Not long ago, they would be with a trainer and a clipboard or following a workout pulled out of a fitness magazine. Certified fitness trainers are certainly highly relevant (in fact, educated, certified and experienced fitness professionals ranked number three on the ACSM survey), but I foresee a merging of the technical app with the live trainer. Smartphone fitness technology will get more sophisticated, but it can’t completely replace a personal trainer because inherently they are personal. One of the benefits of personal trainers is their high level of engagement: They can physically correct form and have the ability to motivate and push their clients beyond their comfort zone. Plus, when you have an appointment with your trainer, you often feel a level of responsibility to show up. Your iPhone doesn’t get insulted if you stand it up for a workout session. My point is that personal workout technology is gaining in popularity, and I don’t see that waning nor replacing a live trainer. If anything, it’s an excellent option for busy professionals and others who can’t often take large blocks of time for exercise, but who want an effective and efficient workout to increase their fitness levels.
I believe exercise programs and techniques are evolutionary, not revolutionary. New approaches, packaging and devices are always appearing, and the body of exercise science is growing; however, exercise can’t be reinvented. Because it’s my life work, I’m very interested in keeping tabs on what’s new and popular and determining how exercise can be a part of everyone’s every day. While I’m wary of “fashion fitness,” I do believe that if it gives you an efficient workout and pushes you to enhance your fitness levels, by all means go for it and don’t listen to what’s hot or not. I, for one, am not hanging up my indoor cycling shoes.
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What’s Hot and What’s Not in Fitness originally appeared on usnews.com
